Bajwa slams AAP government over police action against farmers in Gurdaspur

CHANDIGARH: Leader of opposition (LoP) in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Tuesday criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government for using police force against protesting farmers in Gurdaspur district.
"As a result of police brutality, around eight farmers were injured in Nangal Jhor and Bharat villages. They were peacefully protesting against the forceful acquisition of land for the Jammu-Katra Express Highway project. During the police action, turbans of several farmers were also removed, which is extremely deplorable. The farmers have also alleged that they did not receive compensation for their acquired land," Bajwa stated.
The senior Congress leader accused the AAP government of failing to engage with farmers before initiating land acquisition and stressed that their concerns should have been addressed under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, 2013. He blamed Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann for the breakdown of communication between the govt and farmers.
"Instead of listening to farmers’ grievances and resolving them, CM Mann displayed highly uncivilised behaviour in a recent meeting with farm union leaders. As a result, farmers have been left with no choice but to protest outside the residences of AAP MLAs," Bajwa said.

The opposition leader further alleged that in its three years in power, the AAP govt failed to fulfil its promises to farmers. "The govt did not take a single step toward ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various crops. Despite assurances, CM Mann failed to procure Moong at MSP. No compensation was paid to flood-affected farmers. When they protest against the govt’s indifference, they are met with police repression," he added.